Sobriety checkpoints: Effective? Constitutional? Worth the cost and hassle to drivers?
Plus — Bossier City traffic hassles. Live music calendar.
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Sobriety checkpoints: Effective? Constitutional? Worth the cost and hassle to drivers?
On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a sobriety checkpoint in the 4700 block of Palmetto Road in Benton. A total of 568 vehicles were screened during the operation and 27 drivers were administered field sobriety tests — none of them were deemed to be impaired.
It's not unusual, at least in Bossier Parish, for these DWI checkpoints to result in few, if any, drunk driver arrests.
So what's the point? Are sobriety checkpoints effective — worth the cost and the hassle to drivers? And are these checkpoints a violation of our Constitutional rights?
The Sheriff defends sobriety checkpoints
Sheriff Julian Whittington believes the stops are effective.
“These sobriety checkpoints help raise public awareness of impaired driving, which helps reduce the number of alcohol-related/impaired crashes every year," Whittington said. "These checkpoints are meticulously planned and coordinated to remove impaired drivers from the highways and roads which makes it safer for everyone.
"Out of the all the people contacted by deputies during the checkpoint, no one was arrested for being impaired. This is proof positive that the public understands the dangers of impaired driving and that these checkpoints help keep the roads in Bossier Parish safe," Sheriff Whittington added.
Are sobriety checkpoints effective?
Studies regarding the effectiveness of sobriety checkpoints are limited. Most sources cite research conducted a decade ago by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC study claimed, "sobriety checkpoints helped reduce the number of car accidents in an area by about 20 percent."
Additional studies suggest that high-visibility sobriety checkpoints deter drinking and driving in a community for approximately one week. A study of sobriety checkpoints in Los Angeles from 2013 to 2017 found fewer alcohol-related crashes during the week after DWI enforcement took place. However, the reduction lasted just one week.
"Consequently, sobriety checkpoints need to take place regularly in a community — ideally on a weekly basis," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded.
Why are sobriety checkpoints publicized?
The NTSA also says, "The primary purpose of checkpoints is to deter driving after drinking among the general population by increasing the perceived risk of being caught and arrested. To do this, checkpoints must be highly visible, publicized extensively, and conducted regularly as part of an ongoing sobriety checkpoint program.
"Programs with lower levels of enforcement and publicity do not demonstrate reduced crashes or fatalities," the NTSA added.
Are sobriety checkpoints Constitutional?
Opponents of sobriety checkpoints claim they violate citizen rights under the Fourth Amendment, which guarantees protection against unreasonable seizures and searches by government authorities.
However, DUI checkpoints are legal if they are closely related to highway safety, conducted randomly, and are not discriminatory, according to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Yet, checkpoints are not conducted in 13 states. In 10 of these — Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming — checkpoints are prohibited by state law, state constitution, or because of an interpretation of state law. In Missouri, checkpoints are authorized by law but the state budget prohibits funding checkpoints.
In Connecticut, drivers do not have to answer questions such as, “Have you been drinking?” because it would force drivers to violate their Fifth Amendment constitutional right against self-incrimination.
Can you refuse a test or drive away from a checkpoint?
The U.S. Supreme Court decision upheld the ability of States to criminalize the refusal for breath testing. And some states issue warrants for drivers who refuse to provide breath tests.
You can drive away from a checkpoint if you don't violate any traffic laws. However, doing so may give law enforcement cause for suspicion. They may decide to follow you.
Saturday's checkpoint was conducted as part of a grant awarded to the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
Texas Street Bridge lane closure begins Monday
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says that beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024, the eastbound outside (right) lane of the US 80 (Texas Street Bridge) over the Red River in Bossier Parish will be closed.
This lane closure is scheduled to take place from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day for three days, and is necessary to allow for repairs to the bridge railing.
Vehicles 10 feet or smaller will be allow to pass through the work zone. All larger vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route.
Bossier City traffic hassle
Beginning today, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., the northbound and southbound lanes inside (left) lanes of LA 3 (Benton Road) in Bossier City will be closed from Montgomery Lane to Ashland Avenue.
These lane closures are scheduled to last approximately three weeks and are necessary to allow the contractor to construct turn lanes related to the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway project, which is currently under construction.
I-20 update: On and off-ramps at Old Minden Road close today
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says that beginning today, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, the I-20 on and off-ramps at LA 72 (Old Minden Road) will be closed to allow the contractor to remove the existing pavement and roadway base and replace them with new base and concrete. This applies to the ramps in both directions.
This interchange closure is anticipated to be in place until mid-August 2024, weather permitting. The time frame for this interchange work was planned to take place while school was not in session.
Motorists can access I-20 from the Benton Road or Airline Drive interchange or avoid construction by using the primary detour of I-220.
Other on and off-ramps from Benton Road to Industrial Drive will also be removed and rebuilt in the coming months, though none will be closed simultaneously. Other construction work on the project is continuing, including drainage improvements, pouring concrete for roadway approaches to bridges, and dirt work in preparation for laying a new roadway base.
Bossier City free time calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration.
May 31: Jacob Stelly is a Texas sensation with a world-class band. He comes home to family and friends in Bossier City and performs at the Louisiana Grandstand.
June 1: Rick Springfield and Richard Marx in an acoustic performance at the Paradise Theater in Margaritaville Casino.
June 1: Classic country musician Drake Milligan debuts at the Louisiana Grandstand. Approaching one million listeners on Spotify, Drake has risen the charts and lit up stages across the country. Spending most of his time touring with Cody Johnson, headline engagements are an experience you should not miss.
June 14: On a night when he's not tearing up stages and sold-out arenas with the Turnpike Troubadours, Kyle Nix and the 38s will be at the Louisiana Grandstand.
June 29: The Steel Woods return after previously selling out the Louisiana Grandstand.
July 26: Fan favorite Dan Smalley returns to put on another incredible performance in the legendary listening room at Louisiana Grandstand. If you've never seen this Shreveport native perform, plan to see what you've been missing.
September 14: Cody Johnson, The Leather Tour at the BGA.
October 18: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Darrell Scott at the Louisiana Grandstand.
October 20: Jelly Roll, The Beautifully Broken Tour, with Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay at the BGA.
November 1-3: Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto at the BGA.
November 16: Creed, Are You Ready? Tour at the BGA with 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH.
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